Transmission Cooler Advice

[gipperco]

Hey Everyone,

I hope that everyone is enjoying the long weekend. I have a question for the group. I am building a 74 Swinger for my wife to run at our local track, Woodburn, the car is being built to be a pro class car later down the road but right now will have a mildly built 318/727 combo in it mid 12's from what I am being told to expect. Great for a beginner to get some seat time. Anyway, I need some advice on the selection of a Transmission Fluid Cooler. What do I need? Size ? Where is the best spot to locate it ? Do I still send fluid through the radiator cooler too or will that just add heat to the radiator? Should I run solid steel lines or do I need to use braided ones? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[stroked 340]

I'm running the B.M.70266 cooler on my steet/strip duster with no issues going on 4 seasons,its just plumbed in using using rubber hose and stainless trans. lines..as for a mild 318 going mid 12's in a '74 swinger not unless your spraying or the car only weights 1500lbs...

 

[gipperco]

Anyone ever heard of CX Racing ? They have a listing for a 30 row Trans Cooler with AN fittings for 69.00 + frt

 

[rumblefish360]

I'm not sure about track rules and what must be run as far as lines go. You can run the OE cooler if you want though I would run the cooler after the OE cooler.
Reason being is the OE cooler see heat from the rad, right above it and is not in the direct line of cool air. Cool through the OE cooler and then further cooling through the added on unit.

 

[Guitar Jones]

I don't run a cooler on my drag car. It's more consistent without it. You will have to have synthetic fluid like Amsoil for it though.

If you insist on running a cooler I would skip the stock cooler, it's just going to heat the coolant more, when you would want it to be cooler. I got the impression that this is strictly a race car, or am I wrong?

 

[evanbrendel]

the bigger the better is my opinion on tranny coolers in street cars. heat kills

 

[LXguy]

I just finished installing mine.

I've got a B&M "stacked plate" unit. I mounted it in front of the radiator, and don't run through the factory cooler. I ran hard line from the trans to the front of the engine, and then rubber braided hose from the auto parts store to the cooler. I didn't want to use a hole saw on my car, so I ran the hoses around the driver's side.

I used galvanized pre punched 1" strips to mount it and didn't even have to drill holes in the car, as I was able to use existing holes.

It is WAY worth it to get aluminum line for the hard line portion. You can bend it by hand, it flares easier and cuts easier too.

I'd love to hear the 318 combination you have.

Good Luck

Steve